Explore our FAQ section for quick, responses to your most pressing questions.
Financing & Tuition
What happens if I cannot access GATE funding?
A student who is unable to access GATE funding can enter into a payment plan agreement with the NESC for the cost of the Programme.
What is the means test for GATE?
Means testing is a method used to assess the ability of the family, or of independent individuals, to contribute financially to the cost of their education. This is not compulsory.
How do I apply for GATE?
The GATE Programme provides financial assistance to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, who are pursuing approved programmes at public and private tertiary level institutions (local and regional). In order to access this funding candidates must:
- Students must register and obtain a GATE eService ID at a GATE eService Registration Centre / TTConnect office nationwide
Students must present original copies of the following documents for verification of identity:
I. Birth Certificate
II. National Identification Card OR Passport
III. Deed Poll or Affidavit, (if necessary)
- Students must apply for GATE funding on the online GATE Application form via the GATE eService website: www.e-gate.gov.tt
Please prepare the following documents in soft-copy for submission of applications:
Identity Documents:
I. Birth Certificate
II. Passport / National ID Card (front and back)
III. Deed Poll (for name change)
IV. Marriage/Divorce Certificate (for married / divorced women)
Academic Documents:
I. Latest Result Slip / Transcript (for continuing student)
II. Acceptance Letter from Institution (for student pursuing new programme)
Means Test Documents:
Documents supporting income such as:
I. Salary
II. Self employed
III. Government Pension
IV. Disability Grants
V. NIS
VI. Child Support
VII. Alimony
VIII. Rental Income
IX. Allowance
X. Public Assistance
XI. Scholarships/Bursaries
XII. Other
How do I qualify for GATE?
In order to access funding under the GATE Programme a student must be: o A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago with a continued period of residency of at least three (3) years prior to application; and o Under the age of fifty (50).
What is the cost of the programme?
Registration: $500.00
Tuition:
Craftsman: $5000.00
Diploma: $30,000.00* per year
*except the IT Networking Specialist diploma programme, which costs $20,000.00 per year.
All diploma programmes are GATE-Approved for qualified applicants.
Are NESC’s Programmes Gate funded?
NESC’s Diploma programmes qualify for GATE funding.
Registration & Entry Requirements
For person with no subjects, what free programmes does NESC offer?
NESC currently does not offer any free programmes. Persons interested in pursuing a skill and who have no subjects are can register for the NESC Craftsman programmes or any of its Certificate Courses.
What is the age limit for applying to NESC Diploma programme?
16 years and over.
Are only Trinidad and Tobago nationals allowed to come to NESC Diploma programme
The NESC accepts non-nationals in its programmes. Non –nationals will be responsible for acquiring the necessary immigration documents needed and present same to the NESC before commencement of the programme.
What are the Entry Requirements for the Diploma Programmes?
Generally, the requirements are 3 CSEC passes including Mathematics, English and a Science subject (is an asset).
Why should persons be at least 16 years to enter NESC and not younger?
Applicants to the NESC should have completed secondary school (persons under 16 years should be in secondary school).
I am repeating CXC Maths and English in January of next year, Can I register for an NESC programme in September?
In this situation, candidates are asked to bring their Exam slips when registering to aid in assessing their eligibility for programmes.
Qualifications & Transcripts
How soon will I receive my NESC Diploma/certificate after successful completion of my programme?
Certificates are awarded at NESC’s Annual Graduation Ceremonies – Graduates will be notified of the details of the event.
How do I qualify for a RDC Trades Professional Certificate?
RDC Trades Professional -150 credits, 1640 hours, 2 practicals
What is the Trades Professional Certificate that is available to NESC Diploma Graduates and how can it be attained?
A person in possession of the Trades Professional Certificate is considered to be of the same standing as a Canadian Journeyman.
The Canadian Journeyman status is widely recognised within Canada and internationally. With this qualification a persons can then challenge the Canadian Red Seal which allows portability across all provinces of Canada and will greatly assist in one’s job search.
To attain the Trades Professional Certificate a person must be a graduate of an NESC Diploma Programme and just have completed 1640 hours of Industry work experience recorded in a logbook which will be provided to them by the NESC.
The completed logbook is sent to Red Deer College by the NESC for validation prior to the issuing of the Trades Professional Certificate.
How do I qualify for a NESC Journeyman Certificate?
The NESC Journeyman can be awarded to a Diploma Graduate once he has attained 1640 hours of relevant work experience
Is the certification offered at NESC internationally recognised?
As an institution which is Accredited by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago the diploma from the NESC is as recognised as any other ACTT accredited programme offered at our local institutions.
How do I qualify for a NESC Diploma?
To qualify for the NESC you must have attained 132 credits
Exams & Payments
How long is a student givent to pass a module?
To attain an NESC Diploma there is no limit to the number of examinations attempts, once the programme is completed within 5 years. If the student ultimately wishes to pursue the Trades Professional Qualification he has 4 attempts to re-write each module.
What is the cost for an NESC practical re-assessment?
For re-assessment of NESC practical is cost is $150.
What is the cost to re-write a theory examination?
The cost to re-write a theory exam is $100 per subject (Auxiliary), and $200 for subject registration, if they want to sit in the class before re-writing the exam.
Placement and Recognition
Does the NESC find jobs for us at the end of the course?
The NESC does assist with job placement-however we cannot guaranteed employment.
How recognised is the NESC Diploma Certificate?
The NESC Diploma is approved the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago. It has wide acceptance by Industry.
Is the 1640 Hours of work experience Compulsory for Graduates?
The attainment of 1640 hours is only applicable to a person wishing to pursue the NESC Journeyman Certificate and/or the Trades Professional Qualification from Red Deer College, Alberta.
Is the NESC an accredited institution?
Yes. NESC attained accreditation status with the Accreditation Council of Trinidad & Tobago (ACTT) in December 2018.
General
If students are not satisfied with the programme delivery or something else at the school as a student what redress could one have?
Students have the opportunity to provide feedback to the staff of NESC in several ways. These are:
• The Student Feedback Form
Students are presented with Student Feedback Forms at least three times during their programme’s cycle. These Forms are used to evaluate the satisfactory condition of the programme and the efficiency of the methodology used within each cycle.
• The Student Affairs Officer (SAO)
The Student Affairs Officer acts as a first point of contact for students requiring wide and varied support on a range of social, personal and educational issues. Students can voice immediate concerns to their Student Affairs Officer by contacting their Campus’ Main Office.
• The NESC on Social Media
Students also have the option of contacting the Marketing and Corporate Communications (MCC) Department via message to NESC’s Facebook Page. The MCC Department ensures that questions and concerns are transferred to the relevant bodies who will address
Do students wear coveralls all the time or only in the workshop?
For their safety and protection Students are required to wear coveralls at all times. The Diploma Information Technology Students are an exception.
What is the difference between a Technician and an Engineer?
Engineers rely more on the theories of their sciences while technicians focus more on its practical application. Although not applicable to all situations, the engineers are those who have obtained a degree which often requires a 3-4 year course while technicians only need a shorter diploma course and additional training.
Is there a penalty if a student withdraws/drops out from a program?
Persons accessing GATE for our Diploma programmes are subject to the Terms and Conditions for Tertiary Tuition Funded by GATE. The implications for withdrawing from a programme will be based on these conditions and persons are advised to consult with the GATE office before considering withdrawal.
What is the duration of the Diploma Programme?
Two years full time, three years part time (when offered).
